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Lee Precision Launching New Press--Lee Auto Breech Lock

I’ve been looking at adding something faster than the LCT I use for lower volume stuff. The 550 is setup for 9mm, and I’d prefer to not have to mess around with changing dies for 40 or 357.

Ive got a bunch of 40 components I’d like to use up while also loading 9mm, and for less than $200 all in, this seems like it will fit the bill
@LittleLebowski I might have to take you up on checking out the 650.

I’ve been looking at adding something faster than the LCT I use for lower volume stuff. The 550 is setup for 9mm, and I’d prefer to not have to mess around with changing dies for 40 or 357.

Ive got a bunch of 40 components I’d like to use up while also loading 9mm, and for less than $200 all in, this seems like it will fit the bill
@LittleLebowski I might have to take you up on checking out the 650.

Mi casa su casa. I need to order some bullets. We can always bang on my Scorpion Evo in the backyard

- Lee responded quickly and sent missing parts very fast
- Small primer arm seems to be binding at times with the shellplate. At first I thought it was getting stuck in the primer pocket but upon research, sounds like the binding has been a problem in the past on other machines. I have had it do it several times without a case in the shellplate.
- Case feeder seems to work well in my very limited testing
- Adding a round to stage 4 is a little awkward and slow but need to run it more.

I just havent given it enough time to troubleshoot the issues. Its kind of been a “more Lee issues” kind of thing. I can probably get it worked out with enough time and energy. Not ready to give up on it yet.

- Binding seems to be gone. Tested with and without cases. I am wondering if something got out of alignment during die set up due to short stroking.
- Priming system is a bit gimpy. Had several primers fall (using the new, grey triangle primer system). Need to do some more adjusting there.

Right now I am feeling it has potential but I won't really know until I use it in full progressive mode and have at least a couple thousand rounds through it.

The part that drives turning the shell plate and makes it automatic may have some type hitch. Perhaps removing and reinstalling may cure all. You'll see a plastic gear designed to break before something else does.
Thanks for the report and keep us informed.

Sorry it took awhile to get back to this. Finally fired off my first 100 rds I loaded on the press. Had 1 rd with an overcharge that bulged the case and seized up the cylinder (mild .357 mag loads, no harm done but first one I've ever had in thousands of rounds loaded). Not sure how that happened since I have a Hornady powder check die but with all the futzing trying to get the press to work smoothly it is possible I missed it with some of the alterations I made having to move the cases backward to redo some stations and didn't look at the powder check die on this round.

I need more time on it to give you a really good run down to see if I can get used to the setup. My current impressions is that it is probably an improvement over the turret press if it ends up working consistently. However, my view of Lee products keeps decreasing. I guess they are fine if you are committed to a certain price point but compared my Dillon XL 650, I am beginning to believe (against my nature that always wants bang for the buck solutions) that I really should buy once, cry once and be happy with higher quality products at higher prices. The Dillon XL 650 setup wasn't cheap, but every time I use it I think how glad I am that I made the purchase. Maybe I wouldn't be so thrilled if I had to deal with caliber changes though...